eBay for users with special access needs

We do this in several ways:

• We make links on our site descriptive and provide alternative text for images to help people using assistive technology such as screen reader software
• We consider accessibility when we design new eBay pages or update existing pages
• We provide sufficient contrast between fonts and backgrounds to make content easier to read
• We make eBay easier to navigate without using a mouse

Using a screen reader to search for an item

To search for an item

1. On the eBay home page, enter search keywords in the Enter your search keyword edit box.
2. To select a search category, press Tab and choose an appropriate value from the Select a category for search combo box.
3. Press Enter to begin your search.

Tip
You can also browse a list of eBay categories on the home page. The categories are listed as headings level 3 under the Shop your favourite categories section (heading level 2). You can skip directly to the main content of the home page by selecting the Skip to main content link.

On the search results page, you can review the items that match your search keywords, or refine your search.

To review an item:

1. Select the Skip to main content link.
2. Move through the search results using the Tab key or navigate by headings (each search result item is a heading level 3). Activate the link for the item you want to review or bid on.

To refine your search results:

1. Select the Category, Condition, Price, Seller, or Location options (located under headings level 3) to make your results more specific to the type of item you're looking for. Be aware that activating any of these option links will trigger a full page reload.
2. You can also filter based on listing type (All items, Accepts offers, Auctions only, or Buy It Now only) by activating these option links. Each of these are available as links, and activating them will trigger a full page reload.

Learn more about searching for items by keyword and get tips for better searching.

Listing sections:

When you select an item from search results, you'll be taken to the listing page, which contains information about the item and seller. Here are the main sections:

• Bid: This section has the full item name as its heading (level 1), and contains information on time left, bid history, price, item condition, postage price, and return policy. It also allows you to specify a quantity and place a bid or use Buy It Now. To place a bid, enter your bid in the edit box labelled Your max bid, and then activate the Place bid button
• Description section (heading level 2): This Description section contains specific information about the item. Choose any available subsection to review additional information about your item
• Postage and payments (heading level 2): This tab includes subsections which list postage and handling details, return policy, and payment details. Its content is hidden by default so you'll need to activate it to find the content (doing so will hide the Description tab's content)

Find more information about listings.

Using a screen reader to buy an item

You can shop for almost anything on eBay. Get started by following these steps.

To buy an item using a screen reader:

1. When you visit the eBay home page, the focus will automatically be placed in the search edit box (labelled Enter your search keyword). From the home page, you can also browse our list of categories, which are listed as headings level 3 under the Shop your favourite categories section (heading level 2).
2. Once you've performed a search, choose an item to review or refine your search. Activating a refinement option link will trigger a full page reload. You'll find more information on how to search for an item and navigate search results in the next section of this page, Searching for an item.
3. Once you've chosen an item to review, you'll be taken to the listing page, where you'll find an item description, seller information, and can also place a bid. To return to the search results, activate the Back to search results link.
4. To place a bid, activate the Place bid button.
5. You may be asked to sign in to complete your bid.
6. Enter your bid in the Your max bid edit box. Activate the Continue button.
7. You'll be taken to the Review and confirm bid page, where you can review the information. Activate the Confirm bid button to complete the transaction.
8. The confirmation page will tell you if your bid is currently the highest bid. If it's not, you'll be given the option to increase your maximum bid. If you choose to do so, enter a new bid and activate the Confirm bid button to complete the transaction.

Learn more about bidding on eBay.

Using a screen reader to pay for an item

You can use any of the payment options listed by the seller. To pay for an item electronically:

1. Activate the Pay Now button in the listing or email notification.
2. You'll be taken to the Review your purchase page, which contains delivery and order details (heading level 2). Review the information for accuracy, and then activate the appropriate button to complete your purchase electronically (for example, Continue with credit card).
3. On the Choose a payment method page, select a payment option.
4. On the Confirm your payment page, review your information, and then activate the Confirm payment button. Your purchase is now complete.

Using a screen reader to sell an item

Whether you're starting a business or just want to make some extra cash, it's easy to sell on eBay.

To sell an item you'll need to create a seller account first. Here's how:

1. Register on eBay and create a seller account.
2. Choose your linked bank account to receive payouts.
3. You may also need to add an on-file payment method in case your funds are insufficient to cover your fees and other selling costs. Learn more about fees for selling on eBay. Choose an option from the Payment method section, indicated by radio buttons. Once you've made your choice, activate the Continue button.
4. Confirm your identity by phone, either by using the number you provided during registration (this is the default option), or by activating the Change link to provide a different number. Choose Call me now or Call me in 2 minutes, and then activate the Call me button. If you don't want to be called, activate the No thanks, verify my identity another way link. Once you've received your PIN, enter it into the Enter your confirmation code form field on the following page, and then activate the Continue button.

Once you've created a seller account, you can create your listing, here's how:

1. Select the category which best describes the item you're selling. You can search for appropriate categories, or browse all available categories.
   • Search categories. Enter a UPC, ISBN, or the name of your item into the search box with that label and press Enter to perform a search. Next, use the Tab key to move the focus past the Search categories and Browse categories links to the first check box, which indicates the first suggested category match. Select an appropriate category, and activate the Continue button
   • Browse categories. Activate the Browse categories link, and move the focus to the Categories list. Use the arrow keys to select an appropriate category, and press the Tab key to move the focus forward. Depending on the category selected, you'll be presented with more subcategory lists to further refine your category listing. Make a choice in each such list (moving the focus forward with Tab), until you get to the Success link. Activate the Continue button
2. Choose a listing form, either More listing choices (the first Go button) or Keep it simple (second Go button). If you choose Keep it simple, you'll create an auction-style listing that can display up to 4 pictures. The More listing choices form provides more selling formats, listing layouts, and other options.
3. Create your listing in the following 5 simple steps (if Keep it simple was selected in the previous step), all available as headings level 2: 

1. 1. Create a title, in 80 characters or less, by entering the title into the Describe your item box.
   2. Add photos by activating the Add photo dialog (opens in a new window, which automatically closes once the upload finishes).
   3. Add a description. Using the combo boxes, specify item details such as item condition, size, style, and more.
   4. Set a price and postage details. Enter the start price in the Start auction bidding at edit box, and choose the auction length from the lasting for combo box. If you want to add a Buy It Now price, select the Add Buy It Now price tick box, and then enter the price into the Buy It Now edit box. Choose a postage destination service from the Postage service combo box and enter a delivery cost into the edit box with that label. To have postage costs automatically calculated for buyers, activate the Postage Calculator link.
   5. Select how you'll be paid. For PayPal, enter your PayPal email address in the PayPal email address edit box, review the insertion fee (before the Help on Fees link), and then activate the Save and preview button. Finally, review your listing (new page) and then activate the List your item button. Your item is now listed for sale.

Tip
You can use a screen reader to buy, search or sell items.